Adjustable ribbon-type razor

ABSTRACT

A MAGAZINE FOR AN ADJUSTABLE RAZOR UNIT IN WHICH ADJUSTING MEANS IS PROVIDED FOR MOVING A SEPARATE, REMOVABLE BLADE GUARD BAR POSITIONED THEREIN FROM A FIRST POSITION CLOSELY BENEATH A SHARPENED EDGE OF A PORTION OF BLADE IN SHAVING POSITION TO A SECOND POSITION SUBSTANTIALLY FARTHER BENEATH THE SHARPENED EDGE AND SUBSTANTIALLY LATERALLY FARTHER OUTWARDLY FROM THE EDGE IN SHAVING POSITION, AND TO A PLURALITY OF INTERMEDIATE POSITIONS. PREFERABLY THE ADJUSTMENT MEANS INCLUDING A PIVOTALLY MOUNTED LEVER ARM CONNECTED TO THE GUARD BAR AND CAM OR RAMP MEANS FOR MOVING THE LEVER ARM TO CAUSE ARCUATE MOVEMENT OF THE GUARD BAR, WHICH IS CONSTRUCTED SO AS TO SIMPLIFY ASSEMBLY THEREOF, AND TO PERMIT ECONOMICAL MANUCATURE OF OTHER PARTS OF THE MAGAZINE. INDICIA ARE PROVIDED ON THE MAGAZINE COVER ADJACENT AN ACTUATING ARM FOR MOVING THE BLADE GUARD BAR TO SHOW THE RELATIVE POSITION OF THE GUARD BAR.   MEANS ARE PROVIDED IN THE MAGAZINE FOR THE PASSAGE OF RINSING FLUID THROUGH THE MAGAZINE, AND PREFERABLY THE MAGAZINE HOLDER INCLUDES PASSAGE MEANS COMMUNICATING WITH PASSAGE MEANS IN THE MAGAZINE THE WHEREBY RINSING FLUID CAN FLOW THROUGH THE ASSEMBLED RAZOR UNIT. THE FRONT AND REAR WALL PORTIONS OF THE MAGAZINE AND THE SUPPLY REEL ARE DIMENSIONED TO APPLY AND MAINTAIN A FORCE UPON AXIALLY FACING SURFACES OF THE BLADE SUPPLY REEL WITHIN THE MAGAZINE TO TENSION THE BLADE.

Jan. 5, 1971 F. A. F'ERRARO ADJUSTABLE RIBBON-TYPE RAZOR 4 SheetsSheet 1 Filed Oct. 25, 1968 INVENTOR FRANK A. FE RRARO Jan. 5, 1971 FERRARQ 3,552,@08

ADJUSTABLE RIBBON-TYPE RAZOR Filed Oct. 25, 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 E IN VE N TOR FRANK A. FERRARO J Q ATT'YS.

Jan. 5, 1971 F. A. FERRARO ADJUSTABLE RIBBON-TYPE RAZOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 25, 1968 INVENTOR FRANK A. FERRARO I ATT YS.

Jan. 5, 1971 F. A. FERRARO 5 ADJUSTABLE RIBBON-TYPE RAZOR Filed Oct. 25, 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR FRANK A. FERRARO %LMQW V 9 TT'YS.

United States Patent iii 3,552,008 Patented Jan. 5, 1971 3,552, ADJUSTABLE RIBBON-TYPE RAZOR Frank A. Ferraro, Monroe, Conn., assignor to Eversllarp, Inc., Milford, Conn., a corporation of Delaware Filed Oct. 25, 1968, Ser. No. 770,592 Int. Cl. B26b 21/26 U.S. Cl. 3040.1 23 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A magazine for an adjustable razor unit in which adjusting means is provided for moving a separate, removable blade guard bar positioned therein from a first position closely beneath a sharpened edge of a portion of blade in shaving position to a second position substantially farther beneath the sharpened edge and substantially laterally farther outwardly from the edge in shaving position, and to a plurality of intermediate positions. Preferably the adjustment means includes a pivotally mounted lever arm connected to the guard bar and cam or ramp means for moving the lever arm to cause arcuate movement of the guard bar, which is constructed so as to simplify assembly thereof, and to permit economical manufacture of other parts of the magazine. Indicia are provided on the magazine cover adjacent an actuating arm for moving the blade guard bar to show the relative position of the guard bar. Means are provided in the magazine for the passage of rinsing fluid through the magazine; and preferably the magazine holder includes passage means communicating with passage means in the magazine whereby rinsing fluid can flow through the assembled razor unit. The front and rear wall portions of the magazine and the supply reel are dimensioned to apply and maintain a force upon axially facing surfaces of the blade supply reel within the magazine to tension the blade.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the invention The field of the present invention is that of shaving devices, and particularly that of magazines for razors which may be used in association with a magazine holder or the like to provide a razor unit which includes a ribbon or band-type blade which is trained and moved over a blade supporting means between a blade supply means and a blade take-up means. 1

More particularly, the field of the invention is that of replaceable razor magazines containing ribbon-type blades for use with a magazine holder, wherein adjustment means are provided within the magazine for adjusting the angular and linear spacing between the blade guard means and the sharpened edge of blade in shaving position upon the blade support means. In particular, the present invention provides adjustable blade guard means including a guard bar removably supported within the magazine, and adjustment means for arcuately moving the guard bar, whereby the shaving geometry of the razor can be adjusted over a wide range of shaving positions.

The field is also that of razor blade magazines which provide improved rinsing and blade tensioning means.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (2) Description of the prior art Band or ribbon-type razor units which include a ribbontype blade disposed in a magazine and movable across blade support means are known in the prior art. In recent years such units have had Widespread commercial success. Such razor units include replaceable magazines having blade supplies therein and are advantageous in that they eliminate the need for handling blades when changing from a used or worn-out blade to a fresh blade. In conjunction with recent advances in the technology of razor blade materials and blade edge forming and coating, the advances made in magazine designs have made possible commercial use of razor units in which the portion of the blade in shaving position may be used a plurality of times before the ribbon-type blade is advanced to a succeeding position. The economics of ribbon-type blade razors have thus made possible the provision of a practical magazine which will last for several weeks or more and which may then be thrown away and replaced with a new magazine.

Another concept which has had widespread commercial success in recent years has been that of the adjustable razor, particularly the adjustable double edge single bladetype razor where various mechanical parts supporting the blade can be moved in relation to each other to adjust the shaving geometry of the blade, i.e., to adjust the angle through which the blade is deflected or the distance between the blade guard means and the blade edge. Such prior art adjustment means provided either for movement of the guard in a vertical or horizontal direction, or both, or for flexing the blade held in the head of the safety razor unit.

Heretofore, however, a reliable razor magazine containing a ribbon-type blade and providing simple and eflicient means for adjusting the blade guard through a large range of positions has not be avalaible. Horizontal or vertical movement of the guard bar limits the range within which the shaving beometry can be adjusted and often may not provide fine control over the shaving geometry. On the other hand, with a ribbon-type blade, it is often not practical to flex the blade in a simple manner. Other adjustment means or systems may be difficult to mold, if integrally formed with the magazine, or diflicult to assemble, if separately formed.

Furthermore, in prior art ribbon-type razor blade magazines, the problem of clogging, caused by hair and soap accumulations, has not been adequately solved. Passage means have been provided in prior art magazines which allowed for the flow of rinsing fluid through the space between the blade edge and the blade guard means downwardly and laterally outwardly away from the blade edge and under the blade guard means. Such prior art passage means did not provide for adequate rinsing beneath the blade edge in shaving position.

Also, in a magazine design wherein the supply of ribbon-like blade is coiled on a supply reel, adequate, simple and eflicient means for tensioning of the blade has not always been provided by prior art magazines.

Accordingly, there has been a need for a simple, reliable and economical adjustable magazine which can be used in a magazine type razor unit and which provides simple means for adjusting the angular position of the blade guard through a wide range of positions, for allowing passage of rinsing water through the magazine for cleaning thereof, for tensioning the blade, and for clearly displaying on the front face of the magazine the number of shaving edges remaining in the magazine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the lack of such desirable features in presently available magazines for use in ribbon-type razor units, one object of this invention is to provide in a blade magazine, a separate, removable blade guard means which is movable between a first position closely beneath the sharpened edge of the portion of the blade in shaving position and a second position substantially farther beneath the edge and substantially laterally farther outwardly therefrom, and to a plurality of intermediate positions.

Another object is to provide a razor mgaazine having blade guard means including a pivotally mounted guard bar and adjustment means therefor, with the adjustment means providing for arcuate movement of said guard bar.

Still another object is to provide a magazine having an adjustable blade guard means which can be fabricated separately from the magazine, readily inserted and removed therefrom, and which is held in position of use by elements of the adjusting means therefor.

A further object is to provide a magazine having blade supporting means which includes a downwardly extending wall portion disposed beneath the sharpened edge of the portion of blade in shaving position, openings in the downwardly extending wall portion, openings in the rear wall portion of the magazine in the area below said blade supporting means, and passage means extending between the openings to allow passage of rinsing fluid through the magazine.

An additional object is to provide in a razor magazine, blade take-up means including a blade take-up reel, means for rotating the blade take-up reel, and an improved display means associated therewith for indicating the number of unused edges remaining in the magazine.

A still further obect is to provide a magazine having blade supply means including a blade supply reel upon which is coiled a supply of the ribbon-type blade and means for applying and maintaining -a force upon the axially facing surfaces of the supply reel to tension the blade and present a taut cutting edge on the portion of blade in shaving position.

The present invention achieves its objects, and other objects and advantages, including those inherent therein, by providing a razor magazine having blade supply means, blade take-up means, means for supporting a portion of blade in shaving position, a ribbon-type blade extending over the blade supporting means between the blade supply means and the blade take-up means, and a separate, removable blade guard means movable between a first position closely beneath a sharpened edge of a portion of blade in shaving position and a second position substantially farther beneath the sharpened edge and substantially laterally farther outwardly from the edge in shaving position, and to a plurality of intermediate positions. It also achieves other of its objects by providing means for passing rinsing fluid through the magazine, for clearly showing on the front face of the magazine the number of shaving edges remaining in the magazine, and means for applying a force to the supply reel to tension the blade and present a taut cutting edge on the portion of blade in shaving position.

The exact manner in which the invention is carried out will become more apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention which are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout. 4

4 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the principal components of the razor magazine and magazine holder of a safety razor constructed in accordance with the invention;

*FIG. 2 is a front elevational view, with portions broken away, showing the razor magazine of the present invention with the front cover removed to illustrate one form of the blade guard means and the adjustment means for the guard bar;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view, with portions broken away and partially in horizontal section, showing the magazine of the invention;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view, taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 2, and showing the front wall portion of the magazine;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a portion of the magazine, taken along lines 5- 5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the lower portion of the magazine, with portions broken away, showing the means for indicating the number of shaving edges left in the magazine;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view, with portions broken away and partially in horizontal section, to illustrate another form of the blade guard means and the adjustment means for the guard bar of this invention;

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view with portions broken away, of the magazine shown in FIG. 7, with the front cover removed;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged vertical sectional view, taken along lines 99 of FIG. 8, and showing a portion of the magazine and the front wall portion thereof;

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of a portion of the magazine, showing the actuating lever arm for adjusting the guard bar thereof;

FIG. 11 is a vertical view of a portion of the magazine taken along lines 11-11 of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, FIG. 1 shows that the razor unit 10 of the invention includes a blade magazine 11 and a magazine holder 12 adapted to receive the blade magazine 11. The principal component parts of the blade magazine 11 are shown in an exploded relation, and comprise a blade guard means 13, a magazine body member 14, a front cover member 15, a blade supply reel 16, a blade take-up reel 17 and a blade 18. The blade guard means 13 is shown rotated counterclockwise from its normal position of use to better illustrate the elements thereof, and the manner of insertion or assembly thereof Within the magazine. In this embodiment, blade supply means are present in the form of a blade 18, having a sharpened edge 19 coiled on the supply reel 16.

The magazine body member 14 is preferably generally T-shaped and includes a rear wall portion 20 forming the vertical part of the T and bridge 21 forming the horizontal part of the T. The bridge 21 includes means in the form of a planar surface or track 22 for supporting a portion 18a of the blade 18 in shaving position. The bridge 21 extends outwardly from the rear wall portion 20 toward the front cover member 15. Preferably, the end portions 21a and 21b of the bridge 21 are mounted to provide conical surfaces 23 and 24 for maintaining the blade 18 on the track 22 with the rear edge portions engaging the vertical wall portion 210 of the bridge 21. The blade 18 extends from the blade supply reel 16 over the track 22 to the blade take-up reel 17. The magazine 11 also includes a clamping spring or clip 25, which cooperates with the conical surfaces 23, 24 to hold the shaving portion 18a of blade 18 in position on the track 22. Back up support and guide lugs 212 and 21d extend outwardly from each end portion 21a and 21b for supporting and guiding the blade guard means throughout the adjustment range.

An advancing lever 26 for rotating the blade take-up reel 17 extends outwardly from the front cover member 15. Wheel means 27 and 28 are supported for rotation with the blade take-up reel 17 within the magazine 11, for indicating the number of shaving edges remaining in the magazine 11. Means in the form of a ring or disc member 29 is rotatably supported within the magazine 11 for arcuately moving the blade guard means 13.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the magazine holder 12 includes a handle portion 30, a back plate portion 31, and a flange 32 projecting laterally from the upper edge of the back plate portion 31. The magazine holder 12 also includes a locking lever 33-pivotally supported in the handle portion 30. The magazine 11 is firmly held between the flange 32 and the locking lever 33 of the magazine holder 12 with the rear wall portion 20 of the magazine 11 at least partially engaging the back plate portion 31.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 10, the cover member is shown to include a front wall portion 34 and side wall portions 35 and 36 with outwardly projecting end portions 37 and 38 partially enclosing the end portions 21a and 21b of the bridge 21. Preferably, the side wall portions 35, 36 of the front cover member 15 are snap fitted about the rear wall portion to form the exterior of the complete magazine assembly 11.

Referring now to FIG. 1 the body member 14 includes a cylinder 39 which extends from the rear wall portion 20 of the body 14 towards the front wall portion 34 of the cover 15. A first circular opening 40 is formed in the rear wall portion 20 concentric with the cylinder 39. The supply reel 16 is received within the cylinder 39, and rotatably supported by a boss portion 41 which is received in the circular opening 40.

The rear wall portion 20 also has a second circular opening 42 located below the cylinder 39. A collar 43 surrounds the opening 42 and extends outwardly from the rear wall portion 20 of the body 14 towards the front wall portion 34 of the cover 15. The circular opening 42 is adapted to receive and rotatably support a boss portion 44 on the blade take-up reel 17.

In the embodiment shown, the supply of ribbon-type blade 18 is coiled on the supply reel 16. The blade 18 is suitably afiixed to the supply reel 16 and extends therefrom over the blade supporting means or track 22 of bridges 21 to the reel 17, to which it is attached by means of the slot 46. The blade 18 is provided with apertures 45 which engage spaced apart lugs or projections 22a on the track 22 to prevent the shaving portion 18a of the blade 18 from moving laterally off the track 22 toward the sharpened edge 19 of the blade 18.

The clamping clip is secured to the bridge 21 by tabs 47 received in slots 48 in the bridge 21 to hold the shaving portion 18a of the blade 18 snugly against the track 22 during handling of the magazine and until the magazine is inserted in the holder 12.

Preferably the body member 14, including the rear wall portion 20, the bridge portion 21, the cylinder 39 and the collar 43 are molded in one piece from a plastic material, such as an acetal, or the like.

The bridge 21 includes a wall portion 52 extending downwardly from beneath the track 22, and facing the front wall portion 34 of the cover 15. Beneath a portion of the bridge 21 there is a centrally disposed opening 53, the bottom of which is open to receive a portion 54 of the ring member 29, which engages and moves portions of the blade guard means 13. The opening 53 is further defined by vertically disposed side wall members 55, 56 which are spaced inwardly from the end portions 21a, 21b of the bridge 21, and by marginal edge portions of the rear or back wall portion 20 of the body 14.

Supporting means for the blade guard means 13 are provided in the form of holders 57, 58 each of which respectively comprises a generally C-shaped wall portion 59, 60 having one end thereof joined to the bridge 21, the other end spaced apart therefrom. The inner surfaces 61, 62 of the holders 57, 58 are partially cylindrical and serve as bearings for supporting the blade guard means 13. The spaced apart ends of the walls 59, 60 form openings to allow insertion and removal of the blade guard means 13.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 5, the blade guard means 13, which is disposed closely beneath part of the sharpened edge 19 of the blade 18, includes an elongated guard bar 63, a pivot bar 64 attached thereto, and a U- shaped lever arm 65 extending transversely outwardly from the pivot bar 64. The guard bar 63 is preferably provided with grooves 50, as shown in FIG. 4. The rear surface 63a of the guard bar 63 engages the backup support lugs 21e and 21d in a guiding and supporting relation. The pivot bar 64 is generally cylindrical and includes locating means in the form of end portions 66 and 67 which are truncated parallel to the rotational axis of the bar 64, so as to permit insertion of the ends 66, 67 through the openings in the walls 59, 60 of the holders 57, 58. When the bar 64 is in place, the cylindrical portions of the ends 66, 67 engage the surfaces 61, 62 to allow rotation of the bar 64. When the bar 64 is seated in the holders 57, 58, the U-shaped lever arm 65 extends inwardly and downwardly into the opening 53 and toward the rear wall portion 20. In this position, the blade guard bar 63 is disposed beneath and parallel to the shaving portion 18a of the blade 18, and the bar 64 may not be removed from the holders 57, 58 without rotation thereof, since the truncated ends 66, 67 are out of registry with the openings in the holders 57, 58.

The U-shaped lever arm 65 includes a bight portion 68 attached to the pivot bar 64 and two leg portions 69, 70 extending outwardly therefrom. The disc or ring member 29 is supported and located on the cylinder 39 for rotation about the axis thereof. A ramp or cam member 71 disposed on the upper portion 54 of the ring 29 extends upwardly into the opening 53 and engages the legs 69, 70 of the lever arm 65. The ring member 29 is rotated through an arc by an actuating lever arm 72 which it attached thereto and extends along a sidewall portion 36 of the cover 15. Indicia are provided on the cover member 15, adjacent the end of arm 72, preferably on the front wall portion 34 as shown at 73 in FIG. 6', to indicate the position of the guard bar 63 with respect to the shaving portion 18a of blade 18.

FIG. 4 shows that the ramp member 71 is offset radially from the ring member 29 and has an upper and lower surface 75, 76 for respective engagement with the leg portions 69, 70 of the arm 65. Thus, moving the ring member 29 will rotate the bar 64 and cause arcuate movement of the guard bar 63, thereby changing the shaving angle A. Preferably the lever arm 65 may move through an arc of at least 9.

Referring now to another feature of the razor magazine of the invention, the downwardly extending wall portion 52 of the bridge 21 is divided by the opening 53 into two mirror images or allochrial wall portions 77 and 78, with a narrow wall portion 79 disposed above the opening 53 between wall portions 77 and 78. A plurality of openings 80 are provided in each of the wall portions 77, 78. An opening 81 is also provided in the rear wall portion 20 opposite openings .80 in the wall portion 77. A passageway 82 partially defined by a bottom wall 83 and extending transversely to the blade edge 19 is formed beneath the bridge 21 between the openings 80 in the wall portion 77 and the opening 81 in the rear wall portion 20 for passage of rinsing fluid therethrough.

Since the left and right hand end portions 21a, 21b of the bridge 21 are essentially mirror images of each other, only the left side will be fully described, it being understood that the right hand side is formed in a similar manner. Accordingly, the area behind the wall portion 78 is similar to the area behind the wall portion 77.

The guard bar 63 is connected to pivot bar 64 by connecting arms 63c and 63d. Preferably the wall portion 79 is provided with slots 79a and 7% which facilitate reception of the connecting arms 63c and 63d when the blade guard means is inserted in the magazine.

An inclined Wall or trough 51 is formed in the upper portion of the cover above the front wall 34 thereof, for directing rinsing water, lather, and the like away from the guard means 13 or through the openings 80, 8.1. Water passing through the openings 80, 81 can flow out through the openings 49 in the back plate 31 of the holder 12 (FIG. 1). Thus, when the magazine 11 is placed in the magazine holder 12, rinsing fluid may fiow completely through the razor unit, i.e. through the magazine 11 and the magazine holder 12.

The ring or disc member 29 is held or retained on the cylinder 39 by means of hold down lugs 86:: and 86b as shown in FIG. 2. Slots 87a and 87b in the ring member 29 enable it to be placed over the lugs 86a and 86b on the cylinder during assembly, and then rotated into a retained position of use.

In one embodiment of this invention and as is illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, the indicia 73 comprises three settings for the angle A, L (low), M (medium) and H (high). These settings are fixed and maintained by means of a detent 88, disposed on a resilient arm 89 which extends from and is connected to a wall portion of cylinder 39. The detent 88 extends radially outwardly from the cylinder 39 so as to engage in one of slots 90, 91 or 92 formed on the inner surface of ring member 29. Slots 90, 91 and 92 correspond respectively to the L, M and H settings. The arm 87 is sufiiciently rigid to hold the ring member 29 in position while the razor is being used but resilient enough to allow detent .88 to be snapped or forced into and out of slots 90, 91 and 92 when lever arm 72 is moved to move ring member 29.

In an alternative embodiment slots 90, 91 and 92 may be replaced by a plurality of slots in a saw tooth form, to provide the same number or a different number of settings.

Referring again to FIG. 1, ratchet teeth 95 are disposed on an axially facing portion of the blade take-up reel 17 for co-operation with the pawls 96 formed in the front wall 34 of the cover 15 to prevent counterclockwise movement of the take-up reel 17. Rotating the reel 17 clockwise is accomplished by oscillating the arm 97 of the lever 26, since ratchet teeth (not shown) are provided on the ring 98 for co-operation with teeth 99 formed on the boss 94 of the reel 17, so that the reel will be advanced in one direction only.

Referring now to the means for indicating the number of unused blade edges in the magazine 12, FIGS. 1 and 6 show wheels 27, 28 associated with the reels 16, 17. The wheels 27, 28 are secured to the reels 16, 17 for rotation therewith by keys or splines (not shown). Teeth 101, 102 mesh with one another upon rotation of the reels 16, 17. An axially facing surface of the wheel 27 includes numbers thereon, which are displayed in an opening 104 in the cover 15. The wheels 27 and 28 are sized or dimensioned so that the ratio of the difference in circumferential lengths between the wheels to the circumferential length of the larger of the wheels is a number equal to the reciprocal of the number of shaving edges provided by the magazine. Preferably, the ratio of the circumferences of the wheels 27, 28 is 9 to 10, whereby rotation of the blade take-up wheel 28 one full revolution to advance the next succeeding shaving portion 18a of blade 18 into shaving position will result in only nine-tenths of a complete revolution of the Wheel 27 causing the wheel 27 to present a different number to the window after each complete revolution of the wheel 28.

Referring now to FIG. 4, another feature of the invention is shown. The blade supply reel 16 is mounted in the magazine 11 between the front wall portion 34 of the cover 15 and a raised part 109 of the rear wall portion of the body 12. The front wall portion 34 is provided with inner and outer surfaces 110 and 111. The rear wall portion 20 is provided with inner and outer surfaces 112 and 113. The supply reel 16 has an axially facing surface 115 engaging the surface and a second axially facing surface 117 engaging the inner surface 112. The reel 16 is so sized or dimensioned with relation to the distance between the surfaces 110, 112 that when the magazine 11 is assembled with the reel 16 therein, the surfaces 110, 112 frictionally engage the axailly facing surfaces and 117 of the supply reel 16, and continuously apply and maintain a force thereon, to tension the blade and maintain a taut cutting edge 19 on the blade portion 18a in shaving position.

Referring now to FIGS. 7-9, a modified form of blade guard means 13' of the invention is shown. The blade guard means 13 includes a generally U-shaped frame member 120 integral with the blade guard bar 63. The U- shaped frame member 120 includes two lever arm portions 121 and 122, the ends of which are integral with the guard bar 63'. The U-shaped frame member 120 comprises a bight portion 124 in the form of an elongated bar, disposed generally parallel to the blade guard bar 63. Two stub bars 127 and 128 are secured respectively to the lever arm portions 121 and 122 and extend perpendicularly outwardly therefrom, and parallel to the blade guard 63.

The bridge 21 includes means in the form of a planar surface or track 22' for supporting a portion 18a of blade 18' in shaving position. The bridge 21 includes a front wall portion 130 extending downwardly from the front edge of the track 22.

Openings and 137 divide the front wall portion 130 into left wall, middle wall, and right wall portions 131, 132, 133. The rear wall portion 20' is provided with an opening 138 opposite the left wall portion 131, and an opening 139 opposite the middle wall portion 132. The opening behind the right wall portion 133 is not shown, since the magazine is symmetrical, and it is a mirror image of opening 138. Front openings 80' are provided in each wall 131-133. Horizontal and vertical walls 145, 55', 143, 144 define portions of the rinsing passages 141, 1 42 which extend between the front and rear walls 131- 133 and 20'; the passage for the wall portion 133 is not shown. In this manner, water for rinsing the razor may flow through the magazine beneath the bridge, and in or out of the openings in the holder unit.

A portion 54' of the disc member 29 extends upwardly through the wall 145 for engagement with the elongated bar 124.

The open area below the bottom wall 145 of bridge 21' also provides space for inserting the U-shaped frame memher 120 of the blade guard means 13' into position with the blade guard bar 63' spaced forwardly of the wall portions 131, 132, 133, and beneath the sharpened edge 19 of the blade 18. Holders 57 and 58' for the guard bar 63' have generally cylindrical seating surfaces 61', 62' and include C-shaped rear wall portions 59', 60. Each stub bar 127 and 128 is cut away to permit assembly of the stub bars 127 and 128 within the magazine on the seating surfaces 61' and 62'.

The bar 124 of the frame 120 includes a boss 148 with a ledge 149 thereon. A leaf spring 150 has one end thereof received in a slot 151 in a vertical wall member 55; the other end is correspondingly located. The leaf spring 150 is positioned so as to exert a downward force on the boss portion 148, biasing the elongated bar 124 downwardly. The blade guard bar 63 is therefore biased upwardly toward the sharpened edge 19' of the portion 18a of the blade 18.

In the embodiment described, the elongated bar 124 has a rounded projection 152 as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 which extends downwardly opposite the boss portion 148. The rounded projection 152 engages a ramp surface 153 of a ramp member 154 which is integral with disc or ring member 29'. The ring member 29' is similar in construction to ring member 29 shown in FIGS. l-4. The ramp surface 153 faces and extends radially outwardly from the center of the disc or ring member 29'. The ring member 29 is mounted for rotation on a cylinder 39 similar to cylinder 39 shown in FIGS. 1-4. An actuating arm 72' extends from ring member 29' and is similar to actuating arm 72 shown in FIGS. 1-4. Rotation of ring member 29 causes ramp member 154 to move elongated bar 124 against the leaf spring 150 and about the axis of rotation of stub bars 127 and 128. This movement results in simultaneous arcuate movement of the blade guard bar 63' about the axis of rotation of the stub bars 127 and 128.

In the modified form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 79, a path is provided through the central portion of the bridge 21' for the flow of rinsing fluid. This path is provided by the openings 80', the passageway 142 and the opening 139.

Preferably all the parts of the magazine 11 shown in FIGS. l-4 and the magazine 11 shown in FIGS. 7-9, except the blade 19 and 19', the clamping clip 25 and the leaf spring 150, are formed from moldable plastic material.

In the embodiments described, the blade 18 is described as being coiled on the supply reel 16. However, it is to be understood that the supply reel may be eliminated and the coiled supply of blade may be held against the inner walls of the cylinder 39, or in some other manner within the magazine.

An important feature of this invention is the provision of an adjustable blade guard bar, and the adjustment means for arcuately moving the blade guard bar through an arc to provide a wide range of shaving angles.

Another important feature is the provision of a razor magazine in which an adjustable blade guard bar may be manufactured separately from the body of the magazine, and in which the guard is constructed and arranged so that it may be easily inserted into the magazine in one position, rotated into a non-removable position for adjustment and use, and later rotated to the first position for ready removal.

Another feature is the provision of openings 80 and 80' in the downwardly extending wall portion, the passage means beneath the bridge 21 and 21', and the openings in the read wall portion 20- or 20' which permit passage of rinsing fluid through the razor to wash out hair and soap accumulations from the area below the track 22 or 22'.

A further feature provided by this invention is the simple and efficient means for applying and maintaining a force upon the axially facing surfaces of the supply reel to present a taut cutting edge on the portion of blade in shaving position.

In summary, the invention provides a compact, simple and eificient magazine which permits arcuate movement of the blade guard bar, improved rinsing means, simple and effective means for applying tension to the blade supply reel to maintain a taut cutting edge on the shaving portion of the blade; and simple mechanism for indicating the number of shaving edges remaining to be used in the magazine.

I claim:

1. A magazine for a safety razor including front and rear wall portions, side wall portions, blade supply means, blade take-up means, means for supporting a portion of a blade in shaving position, a ribbon-type blade having at least one sharpened edge extending between said blade supply means and said blade take-up means over said blade supporting means, and separate, removable blade guard means received in said magazine and movable between a first position closely beneath the sharpened edge of said portion of blade in shaving position, a second position substantially farther beneath said edge in shaving position and substantially laterally farther outwardly from said edge in shaving position, as well as a plurality of intermediate positions, and to a still further position for insertion and removal thereof from said magazine.

2. A magazine as claimed in claim 1 wherein said blade guard means includes a guard bar and adjustment means therefor, said adjustment means including a pivotally mounted lever arm connected to said guard bar, and means for moving said lever arm to cause arcuate movement of said guard bar.

3. A magazine as claimed in claim 1 wherein said blade guard means includes a guard bar and adjustment means therefor, said adjustment means including a pivotally mounted lever arm connected to said guard bar, a disc member rotatable about an axis and having a ramp member extending therefrom, said ramp member having a ramp surface engageable with said lever arm whereby rotation of said disc member will cause said ramp member to move said lever arm resulting in arcuate movement of said guard bar between said first and second positions.

4. A magazine as claimed in claim 1 wherein said blade guard means includes an elongated guard bar and adjustment means therefor, said adjustment means including a pivot bar connected to said guard bar and mounted within said magazine for rotation about an axis generally parallel to said guard bar, a lever arm extending from said pivot bar, a disc member mounted for rotation within said magazine, said disc member including a ramp member engageable with said lever arm, and means connected to said disc member for rotating said disc member to move said lever arm and thereby cause arcuate movement of said guard bar about said axis of rotation of said pivot bar.

5. A magazine as claimed in claim 1 wherein said blade supply means includes a coil of ribbon-type blade which is received within a cylindrical structure formed in said magazine, said blade guard means includes a guard bar and adjustment means therefor, and said adjustment means includes a ring member rotatably supported on at least a portion of the outer surface of said cylindrical structure.

6. A magazine as claimed in claim 1 wherein said blade guard means includes a guard bar and adjustment means therefor, said adjustment means includes a U- shaped lever arm and a pivot bar having a pivot axis generally parallel to said guard bar, said U-shaped lever arm comprising a bight portion and two leg portions with the bight portion connected to said pivot bar and with said leg portions extending outwardly from said pivot bar, said guard bar being connected to said pivot bar, a ramp member slidably received between the leg portions of said U-shaped lever arm, and means for moving said ramp member to cause arcuate movement of said lever arm and guard bar about said pivot axis.

7. A magazine as claimed in claim 1 wherein said blade guard means includes a guard bar and adjustment means therefor, said adjustment means including a lever arm Connected to said guard bar, a disc member mounted for rotation within said magazine, and a ramp member connected to said disc member and having a ramp surface engageable with said lever arm, said ramp surface facing and extending radially outwardly from the center of said disc member.

8. A magazine as claimed in claim 1 wherein said blade guard means includes a guard bar and adjusting means therefor, said adjusting means including a movable actuating armv which projects from one side wall portion of said magazine, and indicia are provided on the magazine adjacent the area of movement of said actuating arm whereby the angular position of said guard bar is indicated by the position of the actuating arm with respect to the indicia.

9. A magazine as claimed in claim 1 wherein said blade guard means includes a guard bar and adjustment means therefor, said adjustment means including a lever arm connected to said guard bar, a ramp member engageable with said lever arm, resilient means biasing said lever arm against said ramp member, and means for moving said ramp member against said resiliently biased lever arm to cause arcuate movement of said guard bar.

10. A magazine as claimed in claim 1 wherein said blade guard means includes a guard bar and adjustment means therefor, said adjustment means providing for arcuate movement of said guard bar between said first and second positions.

11. A magazine as claimed in claim 9 wherein said means for moving said ramp member includes a disc member, said ramp member being secured to said disc member and having a ramp surface facing and extending radially outwardly from the center of said disc member and wherein said adjustment means includes means for rotating said disc member whereby said ramp member moves said lever arm to cause arcuate movement of said guard bar.

12. A magazine as claimed in claim 10 wherein said adjusting means is so constructed and arranged as to provide at least 9 of arcuate movement of said guard bar.

13. A magazine as claimed in claim 1 including first openings in said rear wall portion in the area below said blade supporting means, said blade supporting means including a downwardly extending wall portion extending beneath the sharpened edge of the portion of blade in shaving position, second openings in said downwardly extending wall portion, and passage means extending between said first and second openings for allowing passage of rinsing fluid through said magazine.

14. A razor unit comprising a magazine as defined in claim 13 in combination with a magazine holder for receiving said magazine, said magazine holder including a back plate portion at least partially engaging said rear wall portion of said magazine, said back plate portion having openings therein which communicate with said first openings in said back wall portion, whereby rinsing fluid can flow completely through said magazine and magazine holder in either direction.

15. A magazine for a safety razor including front and rear wall portions, side wall portions, blade supply means, blade take-up means, means for supporting a portion of a blade in shaving position, a ribbon-type blade having at least one sharpened edge extending over said blade supporting means between said blade supply means and said blade take-up means, said blade take-up means including a blade take-up reel and means for rotating said blade take-up reel, a first wheel, a second wheel en gaging said first Wheel on a circumference thereof, one of said wheels being associated with said blade take-up reel, indicia on one of said wheels, and an opening in said front wall portion which registers with one of said indicia, said first and second wheels being sized so that the ratio of the difference in circumferential lengths between said first and second wheels to the circumferential length of the larger of said wheels is a number equal to the reciprocal of the number of shaving edges provided by said magazine.

16. A magazine as claimed in claim 15 wherein the wheel not associated with said blade take-up reel is in the form of a ring, wherein said blade supply means includes a blade supply reel, and wherein said ring is rotatably supported on at least a portion of said supply reel.

17. A razor magazine as defined in claim 1 in which said separate, removable blade guard means includes a guard bar and a pivot bar attached thereto, and in which said pivot bar includes locating means thereon for allowing said guard means to be positioned for free insertion into and removal from said magazine in one position of said guard means, said locating means also preventing removal and insertion of said guard means when said guard means is in an assembled position within said magazine and movable between said first and second positions.

18. A magazine as defined in claim 1 which further includes supporting means therein for allowing removable insertion therein of a pivotable portion of an adjustable blade guard means, said supporting means having, on one portion thereof, at least partially cylindrical surfaces for rotatably supporting said pivotable portion, and further including an opening of a dimension smaller than the diameter of said pivotable portion to allow insertion and removal through said opening of said pivotable portion.

19. A magazine as defined in claim 17 in which said locating means comprises two spaced apart portions of said pivot bar, said spaced apart portions having the shape of a truncated cylinder so as to provide for rotation of said bar through an opening of a size smaller than the diameter of said pivot bar.

20. A razor magazine as defined in claim 1 in which said separate, removable blade guard means includes a guard bar and a pivot bar attached thereto, and in which said pivot bar includes locating means thereon for allowing said guard means to be positioned for free insertion into and removal from said magazine in one position of said guard means, said locating means also preventing removal and insertion of said guard means when said guard means is in an assembled position within said magazine and movable between said first and second position, and in which said magazine further includes supporting means on said magazine for allowing removable insertion therein of said pivot bar, said supporting means including, on one portion thereof, at least partially cylindrical surfaces for rotatably supporting said pivot bar, and further including an opening of a dimension smaller than the diameter of said pivot bar to allow insertion and removal of said pivot bar through said opening.

21. A magazine for a safety razor including front and rear wall portions, side wall portions, blade supply means, blade take-up means, means for supporting a portion of a blade in shaving position, a ribbon-type blade having at least one sharpened edge extending over said blade supporting means between said blade supply means and said blade take-up means, said blade supply means including a blade supply reel upon which is coiled a supply of said ribbon-type blade, and means for applying and maintaining a force upon a substantial portion of the smooth axially facing surfaces of said supply reel thereby to tension said blade and present a taut cutting edge on the portion of said blade in shaving position.

22. A magazine as claimed in claim 21 wherein said supply reel includes a cylindrical boss portion extending axially from one end of said supply reel, said front and rear wall portions having inner and outer surfaces, said rear wall portion is provided with an opening for receiving and supporting said boss portion of said supply reel whereby the axially facing surface of said supply reel adjacent to and extending radially from said boss portion can engage the inner surface of said rear wall portion with the other axially facing surface of said supply reel engaging the inner surface of said front wall portion, and the front and rear wall portions and supply reel are dimensioned so that the distance between the inner surfaces of the front and rear wall portions without said supply reel therebetween is less than the axial distance between the axially facing surfaces of said supply reel, so that when said supply reel is disposed between said front and rear wall portions said inner surfaces of said front and rear wall portions frictionally engage the axially facing surfaces of said supply reel to apply and maintain a force upon said supply reel to maintain tension on said blade.

23. In a magazine for a safety razor including front and rear wall portions, side wall portions, blade supply means, blade take-up means, means for supporting a portion of a blade in shaving position, and a ribbontype blade having at least one sharpened edge extending between said blade supply means and said blade takeup means over said blade supporting means, the improvement comprising separate, removable blade guard means received in said magazine and movable between a first position closely beneath the sharpened edge of said portion of blade in shaving position, a second position substantially farther beneath said edge in shaving position and substantially laterally farther outwardly from said edge in shaving position, as well as a plurality of intermediate positions, and to a still further position for insertion and removal thereof from said magazine.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS GRANVILLE Y. CUSTER, JR., Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

